Sicklethorn (Asparagus falcatus)
Sicklethorn is a robust climber introduced as an ornamental plant. It is an emerging environmental weed with potential to invade a wide range of coastal habitats.
This weed belongs to the group Asparagus weeds
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Sicklethorn has the potential to invade a wide range of coastal plant communities from south-east Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales.
Its stems climb over and smother native vegetation up to 6 m tall.
It also strongly competes by forming a dense mat of tuberous roots that can prevent the germination and establishment of other species.
It can attain very large and continuous infestations.
What does it look like?
Sicklethorn is a robust climber to 6 m tall.
The root system has short rhizomes and forms swollen tubers.
Stems originate from a basal crown that may be to more than 30 cm in diameter. Stems become woody with age and have sharp, stout thorns that curve backwards.
Leaf-like cladodes (modified stems) are produced in clusters of 3-6 at the nodes. They are shiny, dark green, straight or slightly sickle shaped (hence the common name), hairless, elongate, 30-90 mm long, 3-5 mm wide and present year-round.
Flowers are small, bisexual (both male and female parts present), white, borne on short stalks in slightly elongated clusters in the axils of the cladodes. Flowers occur from spring to early summer.
Berries are 1-3-seeded, 7-10 mm in diameter, green at first and bright red at maturity. Fruit are borne year round.
Where is it found?
Sicklethorn is a native of western, eastern and southern Africa, Sri Lanka, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean. It is widely cultivated and naturalised elsewhere in the world.
It was introduced into Australia as an ornamental plant.
It is now sparingly naturalised on the coast from south-east Queensland to Sydney.
Maps and records
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Recorded presence of Sicklethorn during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
How does it spread?
Sicklethorn primarily reproduces from seed, but can also spread vegetatively from tubers.
Seedlings germinate in autumn and early winter. The main growth period is from autumn through to spring, but green foliage is present year-round. Flowering chiefly occurs from early spring to early summer. Fruit set occurs from summer to autumn, but fruit can be present year-round.
Fruit are primarily spread by birds, but also foxes, reptiles and other animals that can deposit seeds far from the parent plants. Fruit are also spread by water and dumping of garden waste.
Longer distance vegetative spread is primarily by dumping of garden waste.
What type of environment does it grow in?
Sicklethorn prefers moist, semi-shaded conditions in sub-tropical regions.
Seed can germinate in conditions from full sun to greater than 80% canopy closure.
It is common near human habitation and is primarily found in riparian habitats, wet sclerophyll forest, swamp oak and subtropical rainforest communities.
Acknowledgements
Author: Harry Rose
Reviewers: Rod Ensbey, Elissa van Oosterhout
References
Brisbane City Council Weed Identification Tool: Sicklethorn (Asparagus falcatus). http://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/sicklethorn-asparagus-falcatus
Brown BM (2008) Asparagus falcatus. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/asparagusfal.htm
Office of Environment and Heritage (2013) Asparagus weeds management manual: current management and control options for asparagus weeds (Asparagus spp.) in Australia. Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney.
Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW) Plant Database (2014) Asparagus falcatus. http://www.plantdatabase.co.uk/Asparagus_falcatus
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (2011). Sicklethorn - Asparagus falcatus, Queensland Government. Available at: . http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/Asparagus_falcatus.htm
More information
Control
Suspected plants should be reported to the local council weeds officer who will assist with positive identification, control and removal.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate in 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray application
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate in 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump /scrape stem application
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg
(Various products)
Rate: 1 - 2g in 10 L of water, plus a non-ionic surfactant
Comments: Spot spray application
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High
Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L
(Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
|
Greater Sydney
Central Coast Council is classified as the core infestation area. An exclusion zone is established for the rest of the region. |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment)
Whole of region: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Within exclusion zone: Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. Within core infestation area: Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. |
| Hunter |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Prevention)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
| North Coast |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
| South East |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Prevention)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. |
| *To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2023
